The UK Government has announced its new policy on EU nationals coming to the UK after Brexit : https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/eu-immigration-after-free-movement-ends-if-theres-no-deal/immigration-from-30-march-2019-if-there-is-no-deal#third-country-family-members-accompanying-eu-citizens
 
As regards ID cards the UK will be phasing out the use of EEA national identity cards for travel to the UK in  2020. More details will be provided in due course. The  paper is to outline arrangements for a transition period between 31 October 2019 and 31 December 2020 during which EU nationals will be able to move to the UK to live, work and study by applying for a 36 month temporary immigration status - European Temporary Leave to Remain (Euro TLR). This TLR can be used as a route to applying for permanent settled status.

The results of the Government’s one-year spending have been announced with a £13.8bn increase in government expenditure to be concentrated on Policing, Justice, the NHS and Education. The Department of Culture, Media and Sport funding is being increased from £1.5bn to £1.6bn - a 4.1% increase in real terms for the department’s resource budget much related to England only funds though. Within this the highlights are:

• £60m for the Great Campaign
• An additional £46 million for the Birmingham Commonwealth Games
• A 3.3% increase (£452m) for DEFRA for environmental protection including £30m of new money to tackle air pollution and £30m towards preserving biodiversity.
• £241 million from the Towns Fund in 2020-21 to support the regeneration of high streets, town centres and local economies
• £275 million for maintaining rail infrastructure in 2020-21 compared to 2019-20
• over £200 million of increased funding to transform bus services, making best use of technology and promoting decarbonisation

Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom has unveiled a £10 million grant scheme for business organisations and trade associations to support businesses in preparing for Brexit ahead of 31 October 2019.

• £10 million available to support trade associations and other business organisations in helping businesses prepare for Brexit
• funds will support businesses across the UK in understanding the steps they should now take to be ready for 31 October 2019
• events, training and advice will be open to both members and non-members, ensuring businesses of all sizes can benefit

The Business Readiness Fund is open to business organisations and trade associations throughout the UK and will support events, training and the production of advice packs to assist businesses in making sure they are fully prepared for a Brexit on 31 October 2019. Activities funded by the grants must be open to both members and non-members, and to businesses large and small preparing for Brexit on 31 October. They state there 'will be no barriers, such as affordability of membership'.

Applications for grants will be accepted up to Monday 30 September 2019 and administered through a dedicated website. Funding will have to be used on activities to be completed ahead of 31 October 2019 in order to ensure they are focused on Brexit preparations and that our businesses are fully prepared for Brexit day.Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom said:
​
The UK will be leaving the EU on 31 October. For businesses that still feel unprepared, I am determined to do everything I possibly can to ensure they are fully ready for Brexit.We know that companies often rely on the wider business community for help and advice with planning. Business groups will now be given the necessary tools to engage with this crucial task, communicating with non-members and businesses of all sizes.The funding we are announcing today will mean business organisations from all sectors across the country can stand resolutely behind businesses large and small to support them in preparing for, and seizing the opportunities of, leaving the EU.

Applications are invited for practical advice and support, including (but not limited to): advice packs; information campaigns; webinars; podcasts; events or training workshops. Activities supported by the fund must:

• be delivered in their entirety by 31 October 2019
• be additional to those activities already in delivery or planned to be delivered
• be made available to all businesses in the sector or geographical area and cannot be restricted to an organisation’s members or subscribers
• be free (non-chargeable) to businesses
• not create a competitive advantage to certain businesses

Proposed initiatives will be required to deliver their intended impact by the 31 October 2019, and this will be subject to government scrutiny.
The funding forms part of the £108 million recently announced by HM Treasury to promote and support businesses in ensuring they are ready for Brexit, including a national programme of business readiness and helping exporters to prepare for, and capitalise on, new opportunities.

Firstly, the WTA has expressed concern over the last couple of years regarding the reliability of the ONS’s IPS figures, especially when it comes to headline figures to look at visitors from specific markets or the number of visitors to Wales. Sample sizes are small and give increasingly large margins of error. This concern from us and others, namely the English Tourism Alliance has reached the point where the Office for Statistics Regulation has been asked to review the gathering of IPS data. So whilst the IPS figures are questionable the YTD figures give a pretty good indication of trends in visitor numbers and the impact that Brexit is having on tourism to the UK. Some highlights:

• The main YTD figures indicate that visitor numbers are tracking 3% less than 2018 while spend is down 6%. The corresponding figures for 2018 were also down 7% and 5% respectively over the 2017 figures, which means that there has been a marked downturn in inbound tourism over the last two years.
• Business and VFR figures have been weak for some time, overall tourism figures have been supported by an increase in holiday visits as tourists have taken advantage of the weak pound. However, the latest figures suggest that even holiday visitor numbers are starting to turn with numbers static for the previous three months and down 6% for the YTD
• The Global Regions analysis gives an indication of the impact of Brexit on visitor numbers. North American and Rest of Europe markets are still doing well, but visitor numbers from the core EU countries are down 10% in the previous three months and 7% on YTD. Overall visitor numbers from the EU are down 4% on YTD and 8% between March and May, showing an accelerating trend over the first six months of the year.
• The Competitors section of the report puts the figures above into some perspective with every other major European destination except Spain seeing growth of at least 4% compared to the UK’s 4% decline.

 

In 2015 the Welsh Government published its international agenda: Wales in the World. Since then, the international landscape has changed dramatically creating the need for a new refocused strategy that sets out an international vision for Wales.

Over the past six months, the Welsh Government has engaged with stakeholders to develop and inform its thinking around the strategy. The continuing uncertainty of Brexit, the lack of clarity on our relationship with our nearest neighbours, and the protracted EU withdrawal negotiations have added significant delay and difficulty to the drafting of this international strategy. The draft is the product of a stakeholder engagement process and this consultation seeks your views on our proposed approach to internationalisation.

With the consultation closing on 23 October, just one week from the UK’s extended deadline to leave the European Union, the final strategy will need to have a degree of flexibility built into it, and will have to adapt to the circumstances at the time of publication, in response to the ‘deal’ and ‘no deal’ scenarios which will be clearer after 31 October. The Welsh Government are asking us to consider the following four questions:

Question 1: The three goals set out in the strategy are:
-to raise Wales’ international profile
-increase exports and inward investment
-showcase Wales as a globally responsible nation.

These goals have been developed to bring coordinated outcomes to the international work being undertaken by the Welsh Government and its partners. Do you agree with these goals? Are there any other goals that should be considered?

Question 2: People – the strategy highlights the important role that our people and cultural organisations, in Wales and overseas, can play in raising Wales’ international profile.

Do you agree with the ambitions set out in this chapter? Do you think they will deliver the key goal to raise Wales’ international profile?

Question 3: Products – Wales has a strong global commercial relationship both in terms of exports and attracting inward investment. The strategy sets out plans to showcase Wales’ expertise in cyber security, compound-semiconductors and film and television production to demonstrate that we have a modern and vibrant economy. This, in turn, will enhance our wider export and inward investment offer to the rest of the world.

Do you agree that showcasing these areas will demonstrate that Wales has a modern, vibrant economy and skilled workforce?

Question 4: Place – Wales‘ culture and language have contributed to international tourism and increased recognition as a visitor destination. In this strategy, we have identified the need to promote sustainable tourism as a priority. Wales has also demonstrated a commitment to global responsibility through its Wales for Africa programme and our Health Boards.

Do you agree that the ambitions set out in the strategy will promote Wales as a globally responsible nation and showcase our commitment to sustainability?

HOW TO RESPOND
You can respond online at
https://gov.wales/draft-international-strategy-for-wales. Alternatively, you can download and complete the response form at the same web address and email: InternationalStrategy@gov.wales
Or post it to:
Strategy Consultation
International Relations & Trade Department
Welsh Government
3rd Floor
Cathays Park
Cardiff
CF10 3NQ

The Welsh Government and the Food and Drink Wales Industry Board consultation paper sets out ‘The ambition to further develop Wales’ food and drink sector’. The Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths AM, and Andy Richardson Chair of Food and Drink Wales Industry Board, jointly launched the consultation. Their aim is to produce a new and ambitious strategic plan to further the development of the sector and the benefits it delivers for Wales.Stakeholders’ opinions will help shape a finished strategic plan for 2020-2026 which we expect to publish in early 2020. The consultation paper will close midnight on the 15 October 2019.

The Department for Transport has published a call for evidence on Carbon Offsetting in Transport.

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/carbon-offsetting-in-transport-a-call-for-evidence

The focus of the call for evidence is on ticketed transport – ie.,  buses, coaches, trains, planes and ships – although they are also interested in schemes for private vehicles as well. The three main issues being looked at are:

1. Is sufficient information being provided on the environmental impacts of travel and whether consumer purchasing decisions can be modified by including carbon emission data in the purchasing process.
2. Can carbon offsetting programmes help tackle climate change and how can consumers be confident that programmes are actually  mitigating their impact on the environment
3. How can the number of consumers taking part on carbon offsetting schemes be maximised and what is the role of government

 
While the call for evidence discusses the issue in the context of voluntary offsetting programmes, there is the prospect that this could be a precursor to a mandatory scheme. Responses close on 26 September 2019 and can be provided via an online form or by emailing written responses to environmental.strategy@dft.gov.uk 

Whilst the WTA will not in this instance be responding formally, if a WTA member wishes the WTA to provide a supporting statement to a response then please let us know prior to the 16th September 2019.

The UK Government’s response to the six month review of the Package Travel Regulations has been published - 
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/817388/The_package_travel_and_linked_travel_arrangements_regulations_report_2018_2019.pdf
 
There is recognition that the new Package Travel Regulations are confusing to interpret, burdensome on tourism businesses and, in many cases, provide little benefit to consumers. It also recognises and accepts a the unintended impacts on the domestic tourism industry and the concerns that the regulations may be damaging the UK’s domestic tourism industry.

​However, the Government goes on to say that while they will work with stakeholders to provide further clarity on interpretation of the regulations, they cannot actually change the Guidance as this would alter the meaning of PTR 2018. They have also decided to postpone the 12-month review (which should have started at the beginning of this month) until a time when the UK’s position in a post-EU exit landscape is clear. This makes sense with the 31st Oct deadline for leaving the EU fast approaching.